TAMPA, Fla. – Despite a season-high 21 points from sophomore guard Alexy Mollenhauer, the Anderson women's basketball team suffered its first setback of the season, as the Trojans fell, 71-65, to Minn. St. Moorhead in nonconference action Friday morning in the Tampa Classic at the University of Tampa.
Anderson slipped to 4-1 on the season, while Minn. St. Moorhead moved to 2-1 overall.
The Trojans placed four in players in double-figures with Mollenhauer sharing game-high honors with Minn. St. Moorhead's Drew Sannes. Forward Alexis Dillard and junior Ace Easter netted 11 points while Dillard grabbed 10 rebounds to record her second double-double of the season. Sophomore Madison Baggett chipped in 10 points while dishing out eight assists for AU.
Capping off the scoring for the Black and Gold was senior Kaylee Koerperich (8), junior Erika Martin (2) and freshman Taylor Hair (2). Koerperich and Hair also grabbed five and four rebounds, respectively.
The Dragons placed three players in double-figures with Sannes game-high honors (21 points) being paired with 15 rebounds. Cassiday Thorson dropped in 14 points and ripped down eight rebounds while reserve Megan Hintz chipped in 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the winning effort.
Anderson led the majority of the first period before relinquishing the lead at the 1:37 mark,17-17. The Dragons claimed a 19-17 lead to end the first stanza.
Minn. State Moorhead was able to push the lead to, 41-28, heading into half-time by outscoring the Black and Gold, 22-11, in the second period of action.
The third period was played even at 16 apiece with the Trojans beginning their late surge in the fourth period. Each time AU cut the lead to under 10, the Dragons seemed to have an answer. The Trojans finally were able to go on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to two with 1:02 to go in the game. The Dragons held firm to hold off AU's valiant effort by making 4-of-5 foul shot attempts in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Head Coach Jonathon Barbaree's Thoughts: "Although we are disappointed with the loss, to play a team as solid as Minnesota is why we came down here. They are well coached and are going to be a NCAA tournament team. That's how you get better is to play a team of that caliber. I'm proud of our fight in the second half. We have to learn and move on quickly."
EXTRA DRIBBLE
-The Trojans were outrebounded for the first time this season, 53-37.
- Anderson shot its lowest free throw percentage of the season (61.5%).
-AU's Easter has scored in double-figures in each of the first five games.
Anderson will remain on the road to play host University of Tampa tomorrow to conclude the Tampa Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
